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Football: Center Hickman glue on Huskers' O-line

Football: Center Hickman glue on Huskers' O-line
BY JON NYATAWA
WORLD-HERALD BUREAU

LINCOLN — Nebraska center Jacob Hickman can speculate all he wants about next season and who might be lining up next to him in place of two potential NFL draft picks.

Center Jacob Hickman said Nebraska's offensive line is an unknown quantity. "The line can change pretty drastically in a couple weeks, just by who's playing well, who worked hard in the offseason. We'll see how it goes."But the truth is, as spring practice begins Wednesday, even the offensive line's most veteran member can't predict how the unit will shape up. Nobody can, he said.

"Even last year going into camp, I thought it was going to be one way with our line and then the season starts, and it's kind of a different outlook," said Hickman, who started all 13 games at center as a junior last season. "You never know what's going to happen going into any type of competitive situation."

That's especially true this spring, Hickman said, as several now-seasoned linemen will work to fill the two open spots on the right side vacated when guard Matt Slauson and tackle Lydon Murtha played their final game last January.

Murtha and Slauson, two NFL Combine invitees, are now on their way to starting professional football careers, proving something that Hickman and the Huskers were sure of throughout last season.

"(Slauson and Murtha), they're definitely good players," Hickman said. "It's just a matter of making sure we replace those key guys. They'll be missed, but I think we've got the guys."

It starts at tackle, where sophomore Marcel Jones and junior Jaivorio Burkes were top reserves and combined for five starts last season. They will likely enter the spring splitting reps 50-50.

Senior Andy Christensen, if granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA as expected, will return with eight games of starting experience. Junior D.J. Jones looks ready to emerge, and junior college transfer Ricky Henry made a memorable first impression as a workaholic last fall.

Plus, there's Kansas State transfer Derek Meyer, co-MVP of the offense's scout team, freshman Brandon Thompson and a slew of other redshirts.

Hickman is doing everything he can to make the transition seamless. He said he's tried to spend time with all of the younger candidates, hoping a few extra minutes of breaking down tape in the film room or improving techniques on the practice field will strengthen the already blossoming friendships among the linemen.

Chemistry's important, Hickman said. And since the offensive line hasn't worked in game-like situations since bowl preparation, he's not sure what adjustments are necessary.

"I am anxious to see how the chemistry is because I haven't played with (everyone)," Hickman said. " But it's a good group of guys. We all get along pretty well."

Hickman knows the players to his left a little better.

Keith Williams had nine starts at left guard last year and tackle Mike Smith had 10. The juniors figure to be top contenders again this fall.

But nothing's guaranteed. Just look at last August's fall camp, Hickman said.

That's when Williams started to overtake Mike Huff, then a 19-game starter. And Smith stepped in at tackle after Burkes was sidelined with high blood pressure and Marcel Jones hurt his ankle.

"It's going to be pretty interesting to see how it plays out," Hickman said. "The line can change pretty drastically in a couple weeks, just by who's playing well, who worked hard in the offseason. We'll see how it goes."

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nice article. obviously the o-line is a pretty large part in the foundation of any successful team, so it should be entertaining watching this years line shape up.